$4,750,000 Settlement in a child Medical Malpractice case

$4,850,000 Settlement in a child Medical Malpractice case

Methods That May Help You Avoid Medical Malpractice

No one should experience a medical error, but they do occur more than patients may realize. Often these errors are the result of miscommunication or physician negligence – and are easily avoided. Whether you are undergoing a simple outpatient procedure or major surgery, there are things you and your physician can do to avoid any conflict and serious medical errors.

Qualifications

Before a surgeon even takes on the case, they should ask themselves if they are the best qualified for such surgery. Even a general surgeon may feel more confident referring patients to a specialist rather than tackling the surgery themselves. Patients equally need to assess their surgeon or physician’s qualifications before consenting to a procedure. They should ask how many times that particular procedure has been completed by the surgeon, their success rate, etc.

Planning

A surgical team should know what will be done prior to ever entering the procedure or operating room. They should know what anatomy will come into play during the procedure and also the possibility of anatomic variants. They should obtain consent from their patient to include any potential backup surgical procedures that may need to be performed in an emergency situation. The goal is to ensure the patient is fully informed as to how the procedures will be done, what to expect, and if a complex procedure is possible when a simple procedure is not.

Evaluation of the Patient

Most importantly, surgeons should evaluate patients for surgical candidacy long before scheduling the procedure. Biopsies, blood work and even cardiac analysis should be performed. The patient’s entire medical history must be considered as well – focusing on if a patient is even healthy enough to endure the physical stressors of that particular surgery. Surgeons should always expect the unexpected as well and be very thorough in potential outcomes based on their patient’s condition and medical history.

Physicians should also rely heavily on imaging technology as part of their preoperative practice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) can reveal things for more accurate biopsies. Also, a radiologist may be able to perform a procedure that allows patients to forgo surgery. Surgeons should always consult with radiology colleagues before scheduling a patient for a surgical procedure.

Supervision

When a patient will be using anesthesia during the procedure, they should not only be fully informed of the risks, but they must be fully supervised by the surgeon as well as the anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist must be present for the entire procedure and never leave the operating room while the patient is still under anesthesia.

Time

Most importantly, a surgeon should never overbook their schedule, and patients should make sure their surgeon is not squeezing their procedure into a tight schedule. Often surgical errors occur because the surgeon is too rushed to do the procedure correctly or even notice potential issues. Incorrect incisions can be made, nerves damaged and blood vessels transected accidentally when a surgeon is rushed.

Contact Berkowitz and Hanna LLC today to schedule a no obligation case evaluation. Call 866-479-7909 or contact us online to get started.

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Client Reviews

Irene Morton

Rating:

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

I want to express my appreciation for the work of Berkowitz and Hanna LLC and especially Christina Hanna. Christina represented me and my family recently in litigation. Her professionalism, perseverance and frankly brilliant work brought an apology from the defense. She made my case matter - for me and my daughter, and for the defense. This caring and drive to do the right thing for the right reason is why I believe in Christina and would highly recommend her to anyone. My entire family is grateful to Christina, and I hold her up as an example to my daughter of what strength and character can be. Thank you Christina, and Berkowitz and Hanna LLC, for being there for me and my family.

Berkowitz Hanna

Berkowitz Hanna is a well known Connecticut medical malpractice and personal injury law firm. We are known for our tenacity, integrity and experience as well as our history of successful case results.